Selling a house in disrepair: tax implications. This reader wants to know how selling a rundown family home will affect their income taxes. Q: I recently received title to a home from my brother by quitclaim deed. He purchased the home in 1982 from my parents who at the time were in financial trouble. My [...]
Retirement housing costs and the effects of inequality. Research from JCHS spotlights the financial challenges seniors face finding affordable housing. America’s aging population is facing considerable financial challenges when it comes to housing inequality. Research from the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS) underscores the severity of these challenges. The number of older adults [...]
How do water leak detectors work? How new technology uses artificial intelligence to detect water leaks and prevent water infiltration. Several months ago, we went to the Housewares show in Chicago. There were a couple of companies showing off their latest technology for detecting water leaks in homes. What Causes Water Infiltration? Water infiltration is [...]
Explaining California Prop 13 transfer rules. Proposition 13 capped property taxes at one percent, but what happens when you transfer home ownership? Q: The family trust has one piece of real estate in California. If a buyer wants to protect the low Proposition 13 basis, may he or she "buy" the trusteeship and pay the [...]
Top 10 best places to retire in the U.S. in 2020. Housing affordability, desirability, health care and overall happiness were factored into rankings to find the best places for retirees to spend their retirement. Top 10 Best Places to Retire in the U.S. in 2020 Retirement is a milestone that can bring, freedom, purpose, enjoyment [...]
Top 10 most profitable home renovations. A recent remodeling impact report shows which home improvement projects are most profitable for resale. If you’re thinking about making some home renovations but aren’t sure which renovations are most profitable for resale, we’ve got some insights that will help you make a smart decision. A new report by [...]
Can a surviving spouse sell the house? This reader wants to know if they can sell the property if they’re on the house deed but not the mortgage. Q: My wife passed away last year and she was on the mortgage to the home and on the title to the house deed. I’m not on [...]
Is a land swap a good way to clear up boundary line issues? This reader wants help figuring out how to resolve boundary line issues from an old land survey. Is a Land Swap a Good Way to Clear Up Boundary Line Issues from a Land Survey? Q: We own a large lot in Massachusetts [...]
What are my rights if my name is on a deed? My father put my name on the deed to his home but when he died his widow sold the house without me, now what? Q: Before my father died he added my name to the deed on his house which was mortgage free. He [...]
If I pay taxes on a property do I own it? This reader paid real estate taxes on a boyfriend’s home and wants to know if they have a claim to the property. Q: I live with my boyfriend and have been with him for about 12 years. We have two children. He bought a [...]
